The Most Common languages spoken in Australia
In an incredibly multicultural nation with a rich history of immigration, Australia is home to people who speak a variety of languages, have a diverse culture, and have a distinct identity. Australia is known for its linguistic diversity, with over 400 languages spoken across the country, including many Indigenous languages spoken by Indigenous Australians.
The top languages spoken in Australia
Unsurprisingly, the English language takes the top spot as the most common language spoken at 18,303,662 speakers or 72% of Australia’s population of 25,422,788 and the time of the 2021 census.
Australian English is the national language of Australia and the most widely spoken language in the country. It is a variation of British English with unique slang and pronunciation. Nearly all Australians speak English, with most of the population being native speakers.
However, due to Australia’s very diverse society, languages other than English are spoken among Australia’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. You can learn more about CALD in this comprehensive guide here.
Australia’s multicultural society speaks many languages at home. Understanding these languages is crucial for:
- Effective Communication: Helps government, businesses, and services connect with diverse communities.
- Access to Essential Services: Ensures clear communication in healthcare, education, and legal sectors.
- Stronger Communities: Builds trust and inclusion in schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
- Business Growth: Expands customer reach and improves service quality.
- Better Education: Supports bilingual students and enhances learning.
Embracing linguistic diversity creates a more inclusive, connected, and thriving Australia.
Now let’s look at Australia’s top 25 most commonly spoken languages (other than English):
| Rank¹ | Language | Number of speakers²,³ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | 18,303,662 (72%) |
| 2 | Mandarin | 685,274 (2.7%) |
| 3 | Arabic | 367,159 (1.4%) |
| 4 | Vietnamese | 320,758 (1.3%) |
| 5 | Cantonese | 295,281 (1.2%) |
| 6 | Punjabi | 239,033 (0.9%) |
| 7 | Greek | 229,643 (0.9%) |
| 8 | Italian | 228,042 (0.9%) |
| 9 | Hindi | 197,132 (0.9%) |
| 10 | Spanish | 171,370 (0.8%) |
| 11 | Nepali | 133,068 (0.7%) |
| 12 | Tagalog | 131,195 (0.5%) |
| 13 | Korean | 115,531 (0.5%) |
| 14 | Urdu | 111,873 (0.4%) |
| 15 | Tamil | 95,404 (0.4%) |
| 16 | Filipino | 90,853 (0.4%) |
| 17 | Sinhalese | 85,869 (0.3%) |
| 18 | Gujarati | 81,334 (0.3%) |
| 19 | Malayalam | 78,738 (0.3%) |
| 20 | Indonesian | 73,179 (0.3%) |
| 21 | Persian (excl. Dari) | 72,498 (0.3%) |
| 22 | French | 70,740 (0.3%) |
| 23 | German | 70,247 (0.3%) |
| 24 | Bengali | 70,116 (0.3%) |
| 25 | Portuguese | 67,327 (0.3%) |
¹ Rank after English which makes up 72% of the total population’s language spoken at home.
² Number of speakers based on languages spoken at home, which is a way of classifying an individual’s first language.
³ Percentage of Australia’s population who speak the language. Australia’s population at the time of the 2021 census was 25,422,788
The data is from the 2021 ABS census, the Australian government’s latest information on spoken languages.
Clearly, lots of different languages are spoken across the country.
The most interesting thing about this data is that it means 22.3% of the Australian population are NOT speaking English at home. This is far higher than most people expect, meaning that roughly a quarter of the country speaks a foreign language when at home.
(If you’re wondering why 72% and 22.3% don’t add up to 100%, that’s because 5.7% of the population didn’t state what language they spoke)
The Most Spoken Languages in Australia
Australia’s diverse population speaks a wide range of languages at home. Here’s a look at the top 25 most spoken languages across the country.
#1: English
As Australia’s official language, English dominates daily communication. Around 72% of Australians speak it at home. However, because many migrants come from English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, dialect differences exist.
#2: Mandarin Chinese
Mandarin ranks as Australia’s second most spoken language, with over 600,000 speakers. The steady rise of Chinese immigrants and international students has made it the most common Asian language in the country.
#3: Arabic
With around 400,000 speakers, Arabic secures the third spot. Many Australians from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine speak the Levantine dialect, while Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) remains essential for formal writing and official communication.
#4: Vietnamese
Vietnamese, spoken by over 300,000 Australians, has shaped Australia’s cultural and linguistic landscape since the 1970s. Large Vietnamese communities primarily reside in Victoria and New South Wales.
#5: Cantonese
Cantonese, a Chinese dialect spoken by nearly 300,000 people, holds strong in Sydney and Melbourne, where large Chinese communities settled in the 1980s and 1990s.
#6: Punjabi
With over 200,000 speakers, Punjabi ranks as the sixth most spoken language. Many Indian and Pakistani Australians speak Punjabi, especially in Sikh religious settings.
#7: Greek
Greek-speaking communities have flourished in Australia for over a century. Today, around 260,000 people speak Greek, making it the seventh most spoken language.
#8: Italian
Over 200,000 Australians speak Italian. Since the gold rush of the late 19th century, Italian culture has significantly influenced food, fashion, and the arts in Australia.
#9: Hindi
Hindi continues to gain popularity, with over 250,000 speakers. As more Indian immigrants and students arrive, Hindi’s presence in Australia’s multilingual society continues to grow.
#10: Spanish
With around 170,000 speakers, Spanish has become more common in recent years. More Australians now study Spanish and travel to Spanish-speaking countries.
#11: Nepali
Nepali has surged in popularity, moving up in census rankings. Around 133,000 people speak it, mainly in Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales, where large Nepalese communities thrive.
#12: Tagalog
Tagalog, the dominant language of the Philippines, has over 150,000 speakers in Australia. Filipino communities mostly reside in New South Wales and Victoria.
#13: Korean
More than 100,000 Australians speak Korean. Thanks to recent Korean migration, Sydney and Melbourne now feature vibrant Korean cultural hubs.
#14: Urdu
With over 110,000 speakers, Urdu represents .40% of Australia’s population. This language, widely spoken in Pakistan and parts of India, carries a rich literary history.
#15: Tamil
Tamil, spoken by 95,000+ Australians, originates from Tamil Nadu (India) and has strong communities in Victoria and New South Wales.
#16: Filipino
Filipino, often considered a variant of Tagalog, adds 90,000+ speakers to the growing Filipino-speaking population.
#17: Sinhalese
Sinhalese, spoken by 85,000+ Australians, thrives in Victoria’s large Sri Lankan community.
#18: Gujarati
With over 80,000 speakers, Gujarati remains popular among Indian Australians, especially in Victoria and New South Wales.
#19: Malayalam
Spoken by 78,000+ people, Malayalam originates from Kerala (India) and continues to grow within Australia’s Indian communities.
#20: Indonesian
Indonesian (Bahasa) has 73,000+ speakers, reflecting historical ties between Indonesia and Australia since the early 19th century.
#21: Persian (Farsi)
Persian, spoken by 72,000+ Australians, has been part of Australian society since the 19th-century Iranian migration.
#22: French
French-speaking Australians number over 45,000. Many French migrants have lived in Australia since the early 1800s.
#23: German
German, spoken in Australia since the 1830s, remains an essential part of the country’s linguistic heritage.
#24: Bengali (Bangla)
With a rapidly growing Bengali-speaking population, Australia now has over 67,000 Bengali speakers, primarily from Bangladesh and West Bengal (India).
#25: Portuguese
Portuguese, spoken by 67,000+ Australians, has strong roots dating back to the 1820s, when Portuguese migrants first arrived.
Final Thoughts
Australia’s multicultural society continues to grow, and with it, so does its linguistic diversity. These top 25 languages reflect the rich cultural heritage of the nation, shaping everyday communication, education, business, and community life.
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